Some time ago, the late Charles Albi sent me a copy of a couple of pages from the subject book concerning some questions I had on a passenger car a friend and I had purchased. Those pages answered all of my questions. I now am trying to help a friend with questions about a passenger car at his museum. I believe that the subject book could probably provide the answers. Does anyone out there have access to this book which was copyrighted in 1975 by a gentleman by the name of W. David Randall and published by RPC Publications in Godfrey, Illinois? If so, could they please contact me off list.

Thanks!

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

midlandblb@cs.com

> Some time ago, the late Charles Albi sent me
> a copy of a couple of pages from the subject
> book concerning some questions I had on a
> passenger car a friend and I had purchased.
> Those pages answered all of my questions. I
> now am trying to help a friend with
> questions about a passenger car at his
> museum. I believe that the subject book
> could probably provide the answers. Does
> anyone out there have access to this book
> which was copyrighted in 1975 by a gentleman
> by the name of W. David Randall and
> published by RPC Publications in Godfrey,
> Illinois? If so, could they please contact
> me off list.

> Thanks!

> Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad
> Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

Les,

You might post your question to the PassengerCarList at Yahoogroups.com. The link below will take you to their home page. While primarily a modeling list, a lot of historic and technical data gets discussed, and numerous people on the list will have Randall's book handy.

This brings up a point that somewhat mystifies me. The current day railroad historical societies and modeling discussion groups have done extensive research into the history of much prototype equipment, since one can't build an accurate model unless one has detailed information about the original artifact, yet this is a source that is almost totally ignored by the railway preservation fraternity, who seem to be operating in a vacuum. Admittedly, information gleaned directly from the artifact is indeed the most reliable for restoration purposes, but when the information is no longer there, the research becomes exactly the same as what the most advanced modelers are doing. It's a shame that there is really no common ground between the two groups.

PassengerCarList
dstorzek@elnet.com

> Les,

> You might post your question to the
> PassengerCarList at Yahoogroups.com. The
> link below will take you to their home page.
> While primarily a modeling list, a lot of
> historic and technical data gets discussed,
> and numerous people on the list will have
> Randall's book handy.

Thank you for this. Will look into it.

> This brings up a point that somewhat
> mystifies me. The current day railroad
> historical societies and modeling discussion
> groups have done extensive research into the
> history of much prototype equipment, since
> one can't build an accurate model unless one
> has detailed information about the original
> artifact, yet this is a source that is
> almost totally ignored by the railway
> preservation fraternity, who seem to be
> operating in a vacuum. Admittedly,
> information gleaned directly from the
> artifact is indeed the most reliable for
> restoration purposes, but when the
> information is no longer there, the research
> becomes exactly the same as what the most
> advanced modelers are doing. It's a shame
> that there is really no common ground
> between the two groups.

Dennis:

I couldn't agree with you more.

Les


midlandblb@cs.com

Les,
I have Vol. 1 dated 1973-1974, Vol. 2 dated 1975 and Vol. 3 dated 1976. There was also a follow-up called Private Passenger Car Annual Vol. 1 dated 1980, which was compiled by David Briggs of which I also have a copy. E-mail me with the questions and I will attempt to give you a hand with your information.

Don C.

milw261@sbcglobal.net

> Les,
> I have Vol. 1 dated 1973-1974, Vol. 2 dated
> 1975 and Vol. 3 dated 1976. There was also a
> follow-up called Private Passenger Car
> Annual Vol. 1 dated 1980, which was compiled
> by David Briggs of which I also have a copy.
> E-mail me with the questions and I will
> attempt to give you a hand with your
> information.

Les,
I have the same books, Volumes 1 through 6, From Zephyr to Amtrak also by Davind Randall, Car Names Numbers and Consists by Wayner, Private Passsenger Annual by Dave Briggs, several Amtrak Car Spooter's Guides and books about the St. Louis Car Company, ACF and Brill. I would be happy to help also if I can.
Bob in Arizona.


agent1522@yahoo.com